KAPAA — Kauai High School took an early lead in the Kauai Interscholastic Federation softball season with an 8-4 win over Kapaa on Thursday at Kapaa High School. The game was a make-up from Wednesday, which was called due to
KAPAA — Kauai High School took an early lead in the Kauai Interscholastic Federation softball season with an 8-4 win over Kapaa on Thursday at Kapaa High School.
The game was a make-up from Wednesday, which was called due to the inclement weather.
Kauai came back from a 2-0 deficit in the fourth inning and pushed three runs on three hits, including a double from Kailee Nii, and capitalized on a Kapaa error en route to its 8-4 victory.
The Red Raiders marked its eight runs on 10 hits off Kapaa pitcher Aulani Leipua Kaui and left four runners stranded. Kauai also capped on the four Warrior miscues.
“The girls just did their jobs,” said Kauai coach Elena Kealoha. “It was like Saturday when we took the doubleheader against Waimea. They even surprised themselves.”
Kapaa struck first when Aliyah Cummings stole three bases in her first two appearances and scored twice for the early Warrior go-ahead.
The Warriors finished the day with four runs coming on seven hits and one Kauai error, but left six runners stranded.
“It can’t be helped,” said Scott Kaui of the Kapaa coaching staff. “The girls played well. The big difference is Kauai’s balls off the bats landed. Ours landed — in the glove.”
Facing a 5-2 deficit in the sixth inning, Kapaa came alive with two runs crossing on three hits as Ana Carvalho-Toloai opened the frame with a blasting double to centerfield with no outs.
“If the wind wasn’t blowing, that one would have gone over the fence,” Kaui said. “But it’s our field and the wind stopped some of the Kauai balls, too.”
Sabrina Telles-Kelekoma came up with a bunt single with one out before Kelsie Gorospe-Keliipuleole pushed Carvalho-Toloai home to ignite the home crowd. Keisha Aki followed in the order and pushed Telles-Kelekoma across the plate before the inning ended with Kapaa trailing, 5-4.
Kauai answered in the seventh with three runs on three hits and a Kapaa miscue for the 8-4 final.
Nii, who picked up the win for Kauai on the mound, also wielded a big stick and finished with a double and a single with two RBI to her credit, scoring twice via courtesy runner Railee Layosa.
Aleigha “Red” Scovel, the shortstop, doubled and singled and also scored three times.
Centerfielder Cailey Caires marked two singles and scored twice.Tammie Yoshimori, taking over catching duties from Chase Tokita, singled and scored once via courtesy runner Kahela Nishikawa-Chandler. Kyra Hirokane singled to round out the Raider hitting.
Cummings, getting a single and two walks, stole four bases and scored twice to lead the Warrior action. Carvalho-Toloai doubled, Gorospe-Keliipuleole had two singles and Jordan Lopez singled.
“We still have a lot of work to do,” Kaui said. “Saturday, we host Waimea, and we were at the game when Kauai beat them. We’re just going to have to keep working.”
Kapaa will host a double-header against Waimea on Saturday starting at 10 a.m. Kauai will next travel to the Waimea Canyon Park on Wednesday in a single game starting at 5:30 p.m.
